Sit back... Watch... Learn.

2015-07-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

*Arabic *Chinese *Finnish * French * Hebrew * Icelandic
* Italian * Japanese * Latin * Maori * Old English
* Portuguese * Sign Language * Spanish * Swedish * Welsh

New Posts:

Brazilian pronunciaton maybe quite different from what you might expect. Learn more...

Traveling to Wales? Learning the Welsh alphabet can be the beginning of a great trip! Learn more...

Arabic

Arabic Alphabet
Learn how to say the Arabic alphabet and read easy words.

Arabic Writing.
YouTube video lessons on how to write the Arabic alphabet letters.

Arabic Numbers
Short post for those wanting to know how to count in Arabic from 0 to 1,000,000.

Arabic Language Resources
List of sites and books for learning Arabic.

Online Arabic Dictionary
List of online and offline Arabic language dictionaries and glossaries.

Chinese

Chinese Writing and Phrases
YouTube video tutorials teaching some basic Chinese phrases. (Includes Chinese writing.)

Chinese Zodiac Symbols
Post for those interested in learning about the Chinese horoscope signs.

Finnish

Finnish Language
Learn some basics of Finnish, from the alphabet to useful phrases and words.

French

French Numbers
Learn how to count in French from 0 to 100.

French Alphabet
In this section you learn how to pronounce the French letters of the alphabet.

Hebrew

Hebrew Alphabet
Thorough introduction into the Hebrew alphabet and the Hebrew reading system.

Hebrew Language Resources
Sites where you can find Hebrew vocabulary, writing and even Hebrew online lessons.

Hebrew Online Dictionaries
Find here some online Hebrew dictionaries and glossaries by Babylon.

Icelandic

Icelandic Language
Video tutorials teaching you the basics of the Icelandic language, from the alphabet to useful Icelandic phrases.

Italian

Basic Italian Vocabulary
You learn some basic Italian words such as the seasons, colors, etc.

Basic Italian Phrases
Find videos teaching you some basic Italian greetings and sentence formation.

Italian Language Resources
Online resources where you can learn more Italian words, phrases and grammar.

Italian Dictionaries
List of online and offline Italian-English-Italian dictionaries.

Japanese

Japanese Hiragana
Video tutorials teaching Japanese Hiragana symbols and how to read them.

Hiragana Writing
Learning how to write the Japanese Hiragana.

Katakana
Video tutorials teaching Japanese Katakana symbols, how to read and write them.

Japanese Phrases (Includes Japanese grammar.)
Learn how to greet, say goodbye and other common Japanese phrases and expressions.

Japanese Numbers
Learn how to count in Japanese and how to say the time.

Japanese Language Resources
Other sites and materials to help you learn Japanese.

Japanese Symbol Dictionary
Collection of online and offline Japanese dictionaries.

Latin Language

Latin Phrases
Learn some commonly used Latin phrases together with Latin grammar.

Maori Language

Basic Maori Language
On this still short post, you will learn how to count in Maori from 1 to 10..

Old English

Old English Alphabet
Short post presenting you with a video to learn the Old English pronunciation and other online resources.

Portuguese

Brazilian Portuguese Alphabet
Learn how to pronounce Brazilian Portuguese vowels and consonants.

Brazilian Portuguese Verbs
Learn the basics of how to conjugate verbs in Portuguese together with useful everyday phrases.

Portuguese Verb Conjugation
On this post you learn the basics of how to Portuguese verbs are conjugated.

Portuguese Language Resources
Brings you online dictionaries, grammar tutorials, online verb conjugator, etc.

Sign Language
Sign Language Alphabet
Video tutorials teaching sign language alphabet from all over the world.

Spanish

Spanish
Blog for the practice of Verbs in Spanish, with lots of exercises and videos.

Swedish

Swedish Language
Online lessons on the Swedish alphabet and Swedish phrases. (Includes Swedish grammar.)

Swedish Language Resources
Online and offline resources to learn Swedish.

Welsh

Welsh Language
Learn the Welsh alphabet, Welsh numbers, and some basic everyday Welsh phrases.

Author's note:
*If you are an Hebrew speaker and would like to learn Brazilian Portuguese, please visit my blog פורטוגזית ברזילאית

*If you are a Portuguese speaker and you really want to learn Hebrew, you would be surprised by the high quality of this wonderful blog: Hebraico Fácil

2011-02-28T22:31:00.000-08:00

Learning all about Spanish Verbs...

We are working on posting here the best videos on Spanish Language.

Until then we strongly recommend you to start learning and practicing all about Spanish Conjugation and Spanish verbs on this site:

Verbs in Spanish

Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation

2010-07-17T05:39:00.000-07:00

On the first video, Professor Jason gives an outstanding introduction to the tricky sounds of Portuguese vowels. Unlike Spanish, Portuguese has different sounds depending where they appear in the word.

On the second and third videos of this series, Professor Jason teaches us the sounds of the Portuguese consonants.

Highly recommended!

Brazilian Consonants Sounds Part 2

Brazilian Consonants Sounds Part 3

Learn Brazilian Portuguese Vowels
This next set of videos by Kleber Kosta will extend your knowledge on the different sounds of Brazilian vowels pronunciation, all with plenty of examples.. He has done one video per letter, thus giving you a wide range of vowel sounds.

Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation, Vowel "A"

Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation, Vowel "E"

Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation, Vowel "I"

Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation, Vowel "O"

Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation, Vowel "U"

2009-02-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

What language do you want to learn?

*Arabic *Chinese *Finnish * French *Hebrew *Icelandic * Italian
* Japanese * Latin * Maori * Old English * Portuguese * Sign Language
* Swedish * Welsh

RANDOM POSTS:

Brazilian Portuguese

With Brazil's economy becoming ever so strong, the interest in learning Portuguese is increasing rapidly. But the Brazilian pronunciaton maybe quite different from what you might expect. Read more...

Arabic

Arabic Alphabet
Learn how to say the Arabic alphabet and read easy words.

Arabic Writing.
YouTube video lessons on how to write the Arabic alphabet letters.

Arabic Numbers
Short post for those wanting to know how to count in Arabic from 0 to 1,000,000.

Arabic Language Resources
List of sites and books for learning Arabic.

Online Arabic Dictionary
List of online and offline Arabic language dictionaries and glossaries.

Chinese

Chinese Writing and Phrases
YouTube video tutorials teaching some basic Chinese phrases. (Includes Chinese writing.)

Chinese Zodiac Symbols
Post for those interested in learning about the Chinese horoscope signs.

Finnish

Finnish Language
Learn some basics of Finnish, from the alphabet to useful phrases and words.

French

French Numbers
Learn how to count in French from 0 to 100.

French Alphabet
In this section you learn how to pronounce the French letters of the alphabet.

Hebrew

Hebrew Alphabet
Thorough introduction into the Hebrew alphabet and the Hebrew reading system.

Hebrew Language Resources
Sites where you can find Hebrew vocabulary, writing and even Hebrew online lessons.

Hebrew Online Dictionaries
Find here some online Hebrew dictionaries and glossaries by Babylon.

Icelandic

Icelandic Language
Video tutorials teaching you the basics of the Icelandic language, from the alphabet to useful Icelandic phrases.

Italian

Basic Italian Vocabulary
You learn some basic Italian words such as the seasons, colors, etc.

Basic Italian Phrases
Find videos teaching you some basic Italian greetings and sentence formation.

Italian Language Resources
Online resources where you can learn more Italian words, phrases and grammar.

Italian Dictionaries
List of online and offline Italian-English-Italian dictionaries.

Japanese

Japanese Hiragana
Video tutorials teaching Japanese Hiragana symbols and how to read them.

Hiragana Writing
Learning how to write the Japanese Hiragana.

Katakana
Video tutorials teaching Japanese Katakana symbols, how to read and write them.

Japanese Phrases (Includes Japanese grammar.)
Learn how to greet, say goodbye and other common Japanese phrases and expressions.

Japanese Numbers
Learn how to count in Japanese and how to say the time.

Japanese Language Resources
Other sites and materials to help you learn Japanese.

Japanese Symbol Dictionary
Collection of online and offline Japanese dictionaries.

Latin Language

Latin Phrases
Learn some commonly used Latin phrases together with Latin grammar.

Maori Language

Basic Maori Language
On this still short post, you will learn how to count in Maori from 1 to 10..

Old English

Old English Alphabet
Short post presenting you with a video to learn the Old English pronunciation and other online resources.

Portuguese

Brazilian Portuguese Alphabet
Learn how to pronounce Brazilian Portuguese vowels and consonants.

Brazilian Portuguese Verbs
Learn the basics of how to conjugate verbs in Portuguese together with useful everyday phrases.

Portuguese Verb Conjugation
On this post you learn the basics of how to Portuguese verbs are conjugated.

Portuguese Language Resources
Brings you online dictionaries, grammar tutorials, online verb conjugator, etc.

Sign Language

Sign Language Alphabet
Video tutorials teaching sign language alphabet from all over the world.

Swedish

Swedish Language
Online lessons on the Swedish alphabet and Swedish phrases. (Includes Swedish grammar.)

Swedish Language Resources
Online and offline resources to learn Swedish.

Welsh

Welsh Language
Learn the Welsh alphabet, Welsh numbers, and some basic everyday Welsh phrases.

Portuguese Verb Conjugations

2009-02-14T07:51:00.001-08:00

Learn more about Portuguese verb conjugations...

Hello and welcome!

On this post you learn the basics of how to conjugate Brazilian Portuguese verbs.

I will try to keep it as simple as possible. If you have any questions, or you haven't understood how a Portuguese verb is conjugated, leave me a comment. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you haven't watched the YouTube tutorials on this blog, I recommend you start from there. Go to Brazilian Portuguese Verbs.

Why is it important to know Portuguese verb endings?

Unlike English, you may have a pretty good idea on how to conjugate a Portuguese verb by the way it ends. It comes in handy when you look for a particular verb up in the dictionary when you see something like this:

Wash (v.)= Lavar *.

* The dictionary will always give you the infinitive form of a verb, that is, the verb form not used directly with a subject (I, you, he, she...).

So, again, if you know the "ending" of the verbs in Portuguese, you will be able to correctly conjugate it. (There are some irregular Portuguese verbs (and they are quite common verbs), and I will cover them as well on a separate post.)

So let's begin:

Portuguese verbs have three main infinitives (in order of importance and usage):

1 - Verbs ending in "-ar";

2 - Verbs ending in "-er";

2 - Verbs ending in "-ir".

Brazilian Portuguese verbs ending in "-ar"

One great thing about this group:

All Portuguese verbs ending in "-ar" are conjugated the same way!

IN ACTION:

PRESENT SIMPLE
(Facts about the present)
AMAR

Eu amo = I love

Você ama = You love

Ele or Ela ama = He/she loves

Nós amamos = We love

Eles or Elas amam = They love

Vocês amam = You (plural) love

Examples:

1 - Eu adoro a cidade do Rio de Janeiro.

2 - Miriam mora em Copacabana.

3 - José e Maria namoram ha quinze anos.

4 - Pedro não gosta de sorvete. *

* To say a negative sentence, simply put não before the verb!

5 - Eu trabalho em uma empresa grande.

6 - Onde você mora?

7 - Eu te telefono em quinze minutos.

8 - Nós gostamos de música clássica mas não gostamos de salsa.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
(action that is happening right now)

MORAR
Eu estou morando. = I am living.

Você está morando. = You are living.

Ele or Ela está ando. = He or She is living.

Nós estamos morando. = We are living.

Eles or Elas estão morando. They are living.

Vocês estão morando. You (plural) are living.

PAST SIMPLE
(action that already happened)
TRABALHAR

Eu trabalhei = I worked

Você trabalhou = You worked

Ele or Ela trabalhou = He/she worked

Nós trabalhamos = We worked

Eles or Elas trabalharam = They worked

Vocês trabalharam = You (plural) worked

PAST CONTINUOUS
(action that was happening in the past)

ANDAR
Eu estava andando. = I was walking.

Você estava andando. = You were walking.

Ele or Ela estava andando. = He or She was walking.

Nós estávamos andando. = We were walking.

Eles or Elas estavam andando. = They were walking.

Vocês estavam andando. = You (plural) were walking.

Welcome!

2009-02-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

Learn a Language on YouTube is my token of love to language learning and language teaching.

You are welcome to participate by sending your tips for learning a language on YouTube, questions, suggestions, criticism, or what have you.

Arabic

Arabic Alphabet
Learn how to say the Arabic alphabet and read easy words.

Arabic Writing.
YouTube video lessons on how to write the Arabic alphabet letters.

Arabic Numbers
Short post for those wanting to know how to count in Arabic from 0 to 1,000,000.

Arabic Language Resources
List of sites and books for learning Arabic.

Online Arabic Dictionary
List of online and offline Arabic language dictionaries and glossaries.

Chinese

Chinese Writing and Phrases
YouTube video tutorials teaching some basic Chinese phrases. (Includes Chinese writing.)

Chinese Zodiac Symbols
Post for those interested in learning about the Chinese horoscope signs.

Finnish

Finnish Language
Learn some basics of Finnish, from the alphabet to useful phrases and words.

French

French Numbers
Learn how to count in French from 0 to 100.

French Alphabet
In this section you learn how to pronounce the French letters of the alphabet.

Hebrew

Hebrew Alphabet
Thorough introduction into the Hebrew alphabet and the Hebrew reading system.

Hebrew Language Resources
Sites where you can find Hebrew vocabulary, writing and even Hebrew online lessons.

Hebrew Online Dictionaries
Find here some online Hebrew dictionaries and glossaries by Babylon.

Icelandic

Icelandic Language
Video tutorials teaching you the basics of the Icelandic language, from the alphabet to useful Icelandic phrases.

Italian

Basic Italian Vocabulary
You learn some basic Italian words such as the seasons, colors, etc.

Basic Italian Phrases
Find videos teaching you some basic Italian greetings and sentence formation.

Italian Language Resources
Online resources where you can learn more Italian words, phrases and grammar.

Italian Dictionaries
List of online and offline Italian-English-Italian dictionaries.

Japanese

Japanese Hiragana
Video tutorials teaching Japanese Hiragana symbols and how to read them.

Hiragana Writing
Learning how to write the Japanese Hiragana.

Katakana
Video tutorials teaching Japanese Katakana symbols, how to read and write them.

Japanese Phrases (Includes Japanese grammar.)
Learn how to greet, say goodbye and other common Japanese phrases and expressions.

Japanese Numbers
Learn how to count in Japanese and how to say the time.

Japanese Language Resources
Other sites and materials to help you learn Japanese.

Japanese Symbol Dictionary
Collection of online and offline Japanese dictionaries.

Latin Language

Latin Phrases
Learn some commonly used Latin phrases together with Latin grammar.

Maori Language

Basic Maori Language
On this still short post, you will learn how to count in Maori from 1 to 10..

Old English

Old English Alphabet
Short post presenting you with a video to learn the Old English pronunciation and other online resources.

Portuguese

Brazilian Portuguese Alphabet
Learn how to pronounce Brazilian Portuguese vowels and consonants.

Brazilian Portuguese Verbs
Learn the basics of how to conjugate verbs in Portuguese together with useful everyday phrases.

Portuguese Language Resources
Brings you online dictionaries, grammar tutorials, online verb conjugator, etc.

Sign Language

Sign Language Alphabet
Video tutorials teaching sign language alphabet from all over the world.

Swedish

Swedish Language
Online lessons on the Swedish alphabet and Swedish phrases. (Includes Swedish grammar.)

Swedish Language Resources
Online and offline resources to learn Swedish.

Welsh

Welsh Language
Learn the Welsh alphabet, Welsh numbers, and some basic everyday Welsh phrases.

2009-02-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Learning Latin phrases (and more!) on YouTube...

On this post you will be learning some common Latin phrases, Latin pronunciation and Latin language grammar.

I intend to keep updating it so if you know of any YouTube Latin phrases video or other online resources, please let let me know. (Comments below)

Also, you can find a list of sites with hundreds of Latin phrases and quotes.

Enjoy!

Interesting Latin Phrases

This short video presents us with a number of commonly used Latin phrases. It has been uploaded by Jigsaw2007890.

Learning more than Latin phrases with Brent

This is an extraordinary series of YouTube Latin lessons by Brent. On this tutorials he covers a wide range of Latin language topics such as Latin verbs, general grammar, vocabulary, Latin declensions, and more.

1 - Latin Pronunciation

2 - Latin Phrases and Words

3 - Latin Cases and Word Order

4 - Latin Nominative Case, Adjectives and the Verb to be

Part A

Part B

5 - Latin Accusative Case and Formation of Verbs

Part A

Part B

Latin Language Online Resources
Latin Phrases...
1 - Yuni has a great list of Latin phrases and Latin quotes in alphabetical order.

2 - The BBC has piled up a good number of Latin phrases, including "bumper sticker Latin phrases" and others.

3 - Latin Quotes is the one of the best resources on the Net for, of course, Latin quotes. You can find a Latin phrase and quote for all occasions.

4 - Here you can find a good list of Latin phrases used in the English language. Great resource!

5 - Latin Word is a newly born blog which intends to bring you all you need to know about Latin vocabulary, Latin phrases and even grammar.

More resources coming soon...

Know of any resources that should be listed here? Write to me at Learn a Language on YouTube or leave a comment.

Thank you!

Author's note: I am soon to be posting tutorials on the Spanish language. Meanwhile, you can pay a visit to my friend's blog and learn some verbs in Spanish. Enjoy! :-)

Old English Alphabet

2009-02-09T05:29:00.000-08:00

Pronouncing the letters in the Old English alphabet...

Hello everyone and welcome to my post on the Old English alphabet!

Here you will find a video presenting you with a reading and translation of a text written in Old English. This video can be used as a "listening practice" and help you learn to pronounce the letters of the Old English alphabet.

Also, I've listed a number of great sites where you can learn more about Old English lettering system.

Hope it helps you and let me know if you find other videos and online resources for this post.

Enjoy!

Here is a video lesson by Alexander Arguelles, Ph.D. where we can learn what the sounds of the Old English alphabet might have been.

The Old English Alphabet with Richard Nokes

I know this next series of videos are not strictly about the Old English alphabet, but I found Professor Nokes's lessons really interesting, and another way to hear the pronunciation of Old English. If you would like to know more about his work, old English grammar and other interesting related sites, visit his blog.

1 - Old English Verbs:

2 - Old English Nouns I:

Professor Nokes has a series of 4 videos on Old English Nouns (for more info, don't forget to visit his excellent blog!)

Old English Alphabet Online Resources
TIP: Have a look at these sites and return to hear how the Old English alphabet letters are pronounced.

Omniglot has a very interesting article with the history of the Old English alphabet in a nutshell. You will also find pictures and pronunciation charts to help you pronounce the letters of the Old English alphabet. A five-stars resource.

Wikipedia: Read this extensive article the history of the Old English (with extensive cover of the development of the Old English alphabet).

Englisc Onstigende Wordbōc is great online dictionary providing translations from Modern English to Old English.

Old English Links brings you everything under the online sun you could want to know about Old English, the Old English alphabet, texts, and much more.

I just love this site on the Elisabethan Era. This link will take you straight onto their Old English alphabet's page, where you can you read very interesting articles on the Old English alphabet and its letters.

If you feel like deepening your studies on Old English, this site will give you a thorough introduction into the subject. In it you can learn from the Old English alphabet system to old English grammar and vocabulary. Great resource!

Learn Icelandic

2009-02-09T01:59:00.000-08:00

Learning some basics of Icelandic...

Welcome to my post on the Icelandic language!

The Icelandic language is the official language of Iceland and it is spoken by over 300,000 people.

Due to the language's relative geographical isolation, Icelandic still has a high degree of inflection when compared to other modern European languages.

Below you can find video tutorials teaching you the basics of Icelandic, from the Alphabet to useful phrases.

Enjoy!

Icelandic Alphabet

Here is a video lesson by Rammsteinfreak93 where she teaches us the Icelandic alphabet. Great video to start practicing your pronunciation in Icelandic.

She also teaches how to count in Icelandic from 1 to 10.

Here is another presentation by Rammsteinfreak93. In it, she teaches the sounds of special letters in the Icelandic alphabet.

I know you might think I am getting a little carried away here with the Icelandic alphabet, but I found this video by Mizenki17 and it is a great tutorial in Icelandic pronunciation.

Another chance to get those tricky sounds right. :-)

Icelandic Phrases and Expressions

The next videos on my Icelandic language post belong to the wonderful folks at Expert Village.

Natalia, the teacher, gives us a handful of everyday Icelandic phrases and expressions. It is a great way to practice pronunciation while learning useful Icelandic sentences.

1 - How to make introductions in Icelandic:

2 - Greetings:

3 - How to thank someone, say please and ask for help:

4 - Phrases used in everyday communication in Icelandic:

5 - Icelandic phrases to get to know someone:

Beautiful Iceland...

I could not resist ending this post with a beautiful slide show presented to us by Extolment.

Learn Finnish on YouTube

2009-02-08T12:50:00.001-08:00

Finnish Alphabet

Source: Furmilo

Essential Words and Phrases in Finnish

1. Learn how to introduce yourself in Finnish:

Source: Sulkasiipi

2. Learn how to count from 1 to 99 in Finnish:

Source: Sulkasiipi

3 - Days of the week in Finnish:

Source: Sulkasiipi

4. Months of the Year and Family Members:

Source: Sulkasiipi

5 - Colors in Finnish:

Source: Sulkasiipi

Greetings and Goodbyes in Finnish (among other phrases)

Source: Maija Valos

Finnish Language Resources

1 - Here is great site prepared by Kimberli to teach you some Finnish grammar.

2 - Virtual Finland brings you everything you need and want to know about Finland, the Finnish people and the Finnish language. One of my faves!

3 - If you want to learn about the "infamous" Finnish cases, visit this site prepared by Panu Mäkinen.

2009-02-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Learning some basics of the Maori language...

Welcome to my post on the Maori language!

Maori, or also called Te Reo, is the official language of New Zealand, together with English.

Maori status as a national language gained significant strength after the Maori Language Act of 1989, was implemented.

Te Reo is spoken by over 150,000 people and it is part of the national curriculum of schools in New Zealand.

Truly, it has been a little hard to find video tutorials on this beautiful Polynesian language. So, Meanwhile I posted only one video tutorial on the Maori language teaching you how to count in Maori.

I'll keep on searching...Let me know if you find a Maori language YouTube video lesson.

Enjoy!

This video lesson is a musical video presentation teaching you how to count in Te Reo from 1 to 10.

It has been uploaded by Talk Maori.

Maori Language online resources:

1 - Wikipedia has excellent articles for those interested in understanding more about the Maori language and culture.

2 - www.maorilanguage.net is the place to visit for learning Maori on the Net. It has, among other things, lessons on the Maori alphabet, list of Maori dictionaries (in print and online), and lessons on how to pronounce Maori.

3 - On Kōrero Māori you can learn basic Maori pronunciation, find the lyrics of famous Maori songs, read Maori proverbs and even read on Maori mythology.

4 - The The Maori Language Commission contains information on publications, relevant Maori language issues and many, many resources for you to discover this language.

2009-02-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

Taking your first steps in learning the French alphabet...

Hello and welcome to my post on the French Alphabet!

Whether you just need a quick brush-up on French pronunciation, or you are at the beginning stages of learning French, this short post will help you.

Here you will learn the beautiful sounds of the French alphabet, and even have some chance to practice your pronunciation of basic French words.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!

Enjoy!

Short presentation of the French alphabet. The sound is great and the pace is excellent for repetition.

This great video was prepared by Imagiers

Here is another video presentation of the French alphabet. This time the folks at Studio4Learning go a little deeper into the tricky pronunciation of some French letters.

Have you memorized the entire French alphabet already? If so, here is a collection of lessons teaching you how to read French and pronounce French words.

I haven't posted them in any specif order. However, if you already know the French alphabet, you will be able to see those French letters "in action".

French Alphabet pronunciation with ParisByPod.

On this video you will practice your pronunciation by learning how to say the colors in French:

Summing up...

1. Magenta

2. Mauve

3. Noir

4. Ocre

5. Olive

6. Orange

7. Parme

8.Platine

9. Pourple

10. Rose

11. Rouge

12. Safran

13. Turquoise

14. Vert

13. Violet

French Alphabet pronunciation with Jremy:

Learn how the sound of the letter x is pronounced in French words. The purpose of this video lesson by Rémy is to teach you the French numbers from 1 to 10.

Would you like to learn how to count in French up to 100? Visit my post on the French Numbers.

Pronouncing the French r with Leyla.

Summing up...

Here are the sentences presented by Sheyla:

1. Je regarde par la fenêtre.

2. Arrête de rire!

3. J'ai très, très peur!

French Numbers

That's it for now. If you need any other videos on the French alphabet or French pronunciation, leave a comment below. I will do my best to find it.

I intend to constantly update this post, so if you know any YouTube video for this section, let me know.

French Translation by Babylon is a great place to receive free autimatic translations. Easy to use.

Take care!

Elan

Meet the YouTubers

2009-02-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

Meet the YouTubers!

Hi there everybody!

Finally I have some time to sit and do a little on this page.

This page is entitled "Meet the YouTubers" and here I intend to post news, updates, and let you know a little about the wonderful people who have uploaded the tutorials you can find on this blog and, of course, on YouTube.

Enjoy!

***********************************************************************************

YouTuber: GERSHON

Video lessons: HEBREW

WEBSITE: Bnai Pueblo

My first featured YouTuber is Gershon. He has prepared and uploaded a wonderful and instructive series teaching us to read the Hebrew alphabet.

Here is the moving Email I received from him:

Elan,

Normally, we don't talk about being converts, but perhaps my story can help others. Feel free to use it.

I was raised as a catholic, attending catholic schools through high school. I pretty much retired after high school although there were periods I attended church and I did like to read the bible. But the connection with the Divine never seemed to be what it should. I tried other churches, but nothing seemed to work there either.

Then in January 2003, I felt an urge to go back to church. I drove around town until I dropped into a small spiritual church that emphasized a direct connection with G-d. I wouldn't call it christian. I'm not sure what it was.

At the same time, I felt a very strong desire to learn Hebrew. I googled it, found the alphabet and got started. Progress was very slow.

I started reading the "Bible" as I called it then and found a whole new image of G-d emerge. A kind,nurturing G-d rather than the one I'd known before. One that used situations to teach us how to behave and Who truly loved us.

In April, I was talking to one of my clients who knew a woman he said knew Hebrew. So I called her and she invited me to attend a Shabbat Shacharis at the local Conservative Shul.

As soon as I walked in, I knew I was home. When the Torah came out, the tears flowed like I found the family that had been missing for generations. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes now.

The next week, I started calling family members to ask about my grandmother's past. I don't know why I did this. I found out she was born in 1885 in Bukosko, Poland. That much I knew. What I didn't know is she was raped by a catholic man when she was 18 because she was the daughter of the rabbi in town. The next day, the man somehow got caught in some farm machinery and chopped to pieces very slowly. The guy was alone, and people knew that, but she had to leave out of fear for her life.

Somehow, in a twist of irony, a catholic man agreed to marry her and take her to the United States. What was she to do? She had no money. She did what she had to do to survive.

There were little hints looking back. She never had christmas lights. Just Channukah candles in the window. She never ate ham even when others were eating it.

I found out her maiden name was Jasiczek. From someone who specializes in genealogy in Bukosko, I found this was a popular Jewish name. I also found out no Jasiczeks survived the war. For some reason the Germans specially hunted them out.

I was able to find someone who went to Bukosko and they checked the baptismal records in the local Catholic churches. There was no record of my grandmother being baptised there nor being married. I'm thinking it didn't happend.

Anyway, on my third time at shul, Rabbi Abraham Raich called me up for an Aliyah.

He stood to his left side of the Bema and he got completely pale. As he was in his 80's I was concerned he was having a heart attack. It appeared as if his hair was blowing in the wind, however there was no fan on. He said "Gershon, Gershon ben Franja, come up here" while looking straight at me.

My name is Gary. But my mother's polish name is Franja. He had no way of knowing that. She lived 1500 miles away with no phone listing. I looked at the guy next to me and said "I'm not Jewish." He said "The rabbi says to go up, so go up."

Somehow, I made it through the Aliyah. It seemed the most natural thing in the world. The words just came out of my mouth from someplace.

Later, I learned he was considered to have the Ruach HaKodesh for recognizing Jewish souls. Given that my mother's mother was a practicing Jew, I was technically Jewish without having the need to convert.

Well, about that time, I found Paltalk. Rabbi Elirok gives great Torah classes in the Jewish Home. (He still does this.) He know I was still figuring out my spiritual path and that never concerned him. Mostly I just sat and listened.

At that point in time, I considered myself fully Jewish. Oh, I knew I'd have to either prove my genealogy or convert, but I knew where I was headed.

I continued learning Hebrew. The rabbi even asked me to lead a portion of the Shabbat Shacharis which is probably forbidden by some obscure rule. He just insisted I lead it in Hebrew which I stumbled through. The people were amazingly patient. Without this, I may not have had the motivation to practice.

At the same time, a wonderful family invited me to their home for Torah Study each Shabbat. It was the high point of the week. The teacher stuck only to Pshat which was just what I needed.

Then came a very difficult time in my path. I would open a class in Paltalk each morning and just read from Hebrew books. The Artscroll Study Series at first. Then other books. All from Jewish sources. I got unmercifully attacked by many of the Jews there. They would say I wasn't Jewish. I'd say fine as technically I probably wasn't at the time. Then they would accuse me of being a missionary. I wasn't. I had no interest in the other stuff. I'd get booted from rooms and lied about to the Paltalk administrators until I got banned. It finally stopped when I took legal action.

Normally, I wouldn't talk about such things, but it's important to how I feel. G-d forbid that a Jewish soul should come to my website and be turned away from Hashem because I say something like "You aren't Jewish." G-d forbid a person trying to find their way to Torah should be turned away from me. Everything I've read suggests such a person is higher than a high priest and attains a level no born Jew can ever attain.

What did a born Jew have to give up? What beliefs did they have to change? What did they do to deserve to become Jewish? Did their family and friends ever reject them because they were changing their faith?

If a christian wants to take one step towards Torah, I welcome them. I don't try to push them off by telling them to be a Noahide. For all I know, they could be the Moshiach. Afterall, Rabbi Akiva was a pagan until age 42.

All I ask is we don't debate christian beliefs. Let's just learn Torah. If it's good for that person, great. If not, that's fine, too.

The pain of being rejected by the Jewish people is something that will never leave me. I know I was born with a Jewish soul. But it has also taught me to be fully accepting of people wherever they are in their spiritual journey.

Well, a couple of years later, Rabbi Hersh Mendyl Shatzka asked me to study with him. We started with translating the Kedushat Levi. At first just a few lines a week. After a year or so, we started on Tzvat HaRivash.

In June 07, I went to the Miqvah.

Learning Hebrew was just something I had to do. Somehow it enhanced my connnection with the Holy One of Blessing. The more I learned, the closer I felt. It didn't matter if I even understood the topic. Just the process formed a connection.

I believe learning Hebrew awakens the Jewish soul. It's my belief that only a Jewish soul can become really proficient at Hebrew. This is NOT the same as saying all Jewish souls can learn Hebrew. I think there are reasons many can't.

So, I started the Youtube site last spring to awaken Jewish souls. I knew just a few letters would awaken people. I also knew the Aleph Beyt was the most difficult part. Those that were awakened would find a path.

I also know many people of other faiths will use the website. I would never discourage that. But perhaps it should come with a warning label. "Warning - learning Hebrew can be hazardous to your old beliefs."

Well, due to a computer glitch, I lost all my data as well as my website. So I left youtube for awhile. But then noticed more people were coming. And each day in my email there would be a couple more subscribers. I decided to add more. Then my rabbi started getting calls from his friends. They had found the videos and were using them in their congregation.

Somehow, I was able to recover most of the old data on my computer. It wasn't lost afterall thanks to a chance backup I'd made.

Well, I know this doesn't tell a person how to learn Hebew. The answer is simple. Just learn it.

1. Learn the Aleph Beyt.
2. Start stumbling through words in the Tanach or Siddur.
3. Start to Davan slowly in Hebrew. A little each day.
4. Start to translate whatever seems fun to you.

Repeat 2, 3 and 4 until one gets there. I

On my website at www.bnaiorpueblo.com I've organized the lessons a little better to access the Youtube videos. Most of them are the same videos.

I also have a section on learning by singing. Little songs that will help build vocabulary and pronunciation and will be easy to remember. Eventually the songs will get longer. There will likely be 100's of them. All recorded at our Shul. The goal of learning these songs is not to learn Hebrew. That's a side effect. The goal is transformation in our lives.

The site will expand to other areas. I'm currently working on a translation of Shmirat HaLashon from the Chofetz Chiam. (Guarding the Tongue.) Learning to get along with other people is one of the most important aspects of Judaism. Perhaps THE most important aspect.

Eventually, there will also be a link to a place where people can find study partners. It's very difficult to study alone without someone at our own level. A teacher is simple. We can go to the writings of the sages. It's not as good as a person, but it works to some extent. Having a study partner to motivate us to keep studying and to grow together is essential.

Finding such a person in today's small communities is very difficult. But with the internet, there are more opportunities.

Shalom,

Gershon

************************************************************************************

2009-02-01T02:04:00.000-08:00

Un, Deux, Trois, Quatre...

Welcome to my post on the French numbers!

By going through all the videos, you will learn how to count in French from 0 to 100. (I will be soon uploading higher numbers.)

If you feel like practicing what you've learned, there is a "Drilling Session" at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy! :-)

This presentation, by Je French, will teach you numbers 1 to 10 in French.

Their tutorial is paced, and gives you plenty of time for repetition.

This video teaches French numbers from 11 to 20.

It is an excellent video by LearnLanguages1.

This series of presentations teaches us how to count in French from 20 to 100.

It is brought to us by Vicent Lefrançois, from Imagiers.

I recommend you watch each video a couple of times as French numbers get a little tricky after 69...

...And I must say I LOVE Vicent, la grenouille :-).

French Numbers: 20 to 30

French Numbers: 30 to 40

French Numbers: 40 to 50

French Numbers: 50 to 60

French Numbers: 60 to 70

French Numbers: 70 to 80

French Numbers: 80 to 90

French Numbers: 90 to 100

French Alphabet

2009-01-28T09:51:00.001-08:00

Are you learning Portuguese on the Internet? (or want to?)

If so, I strongly recommend you buy Babylon online Portuguese to English dictionary.

Truly speaking, Babylon is much more than a great online dictionary, it is a multi-functional, multi-language translation software.

Watch this short video and learn what Babylon can offer you:

Not to say that Babylon only wants to sell their translation software, they've recently put up all their content to be used online for free. It is called "The Lookup Pages" (I think the name is a little dorky, but still...:-).

Here are three of their online Portuguese to English Dictionary collection:

* Babylon's own dictionaries (containing over 200,000 Portuguese terms)

* Brazilian Slang (with explanations)

* Portuguese-English-Portuguese Business Dictionaries

If you already have this software on your computer - and you're learning Portuguese - I strongly recommend you to also acquire the great Dicionario Aurelio for a more detailed exploration of this language's vocabulary.

Ejoy!

P.S.: For those interested in trying the software out, Babylon gives you a 7 day trial.

Facts of Brazil | Flag of Brazil | Brazilian Baby Names | Portuguese Verbs | Portuguese Alphabet

Rate this post:

Have you tried any of the resources above?
Leave your comments below!

2009-01-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

Italian English Dictionary

Babylon is a translation wonder tool for its practicality and user-friendly translation software.

What is Babylon?

Simply put, Babylon is a desktop translation software that works on the idea of a single-click translation.

Babylon works in conjunction with the world's leading publishers such as The Concise Oxford-Paravia Italian Dictionary which brings you an authoritative translation tool with over 175,000 terms and phrases, covering an extensive range of subjects and topics.

Here is a short YouTube presentation of Babylon software features:

Babylon also has an amazing and free collection of Italian English Italian dictionaries (to be used online only) which is no doubt one of the best available free English to Italian translation tools on the Net.

Word Reference is one of the most established online community for people interested in languages. It offers language forums and language online dictionaries. On their Italian forum you can you can receive free translation to Italian from other participants. It also offers verb conjugations. Invaluable!

Aromatic offers you a basic Italian English dictionary with approximately 2000 terms. The coolest thing about it is that you can add words to the dictionary.

The Free Dictionary has an excellent Italian dictionary presenting you every term with sound. Although it does not offer a free translation to Italian and English, you can still learn loads of idiomatic expressions and usages in Italian. It is more suitable to those with an intermediate knowledge of Italian.

In any case, even if you are a complete beginner in Italian, you can use this resource to hear the pronunciation of each new word you learn.

Italian English Dictionary on Amazon

Italian Words | Italian Phrases | Italian Language Resources

2009-01-28T04:57:00.000-08:00

So, you're looking for a Portuguese English online dictionary?

A good dictionary is an invaluable tool for any language learner. Below I've selected a great translation tool which is famous for its practicality. With Babylon you will be able to read articles in Portuguese with ease and therefore develop your Portuguese vocabulary fast.

If you know of other useful resources, please let me know.

Enjoy!

Portuguese-English Online Dictionary
Simply put, Babylon is a desktop translation software that works on the idea of a single-click translation.

Babylon has partnered with Michaelis dictionaries, a major world publisher of Portuguese dictionaries, to deliver you translation results from and to Portuguese in a variety of languages.

Here is a short YouTube presentation of Babylon software features:

Babylon offers a collection of free English to Portuguese online dictionaries. Their dictionaries are one of the most complete English to Portuguese and Portuguese to English translation tools available, also containing general dictionaries and technical glossaries.

A tradução eletrônica não se compara em qualidade com a tradução humana

Babylon.com é uma das mais estabelecidas empresas no ramo de dicionários online. Ela trabalha com grandes nomes mundiais do setor, entre eles, com os famosos da lingua portuguesa: o dicionário Michaelis e dicionário Aurélio.
Babylon tem como iniciativa promover o trabalho de tradutores experientes e qualificados em todo o mundo, pois ela acredita que somente um tradutor humano, em comparação com tradutores eletrônicos, pode atingir o mais alto nível de qualidade.

Blog Map

2009-01-28T04:12:00.001-08:00

Learn a Language on YouTube is an ongoing project and I will always strive to bring you the best quality videos and sites I can find.

That’s my commitment to you.

Please feel free to send me your comments and suggestions.

So, choose a language and start learning!

Here is the selection of languages (and topics!) already available:

2009-01-27T15:09:00.001-08:00

Learn a Language on YouTube will help you learn a foreign language, especially if you are at the beginning stages.

This blog is my labor of love to language learning and teaching; it is an ongoing project and I intend to search and post new videos regularly.

Send me your comments, suggestions, or submit a video at: Learn a Language on YouTube.

Enjoy!

Learn Arabic on YouTube.

On this post you will find video tutorials teaching the basics of the Arabic alphabet and Arabic writing. It will take you from zero knowledge of the Arabic alphabet to being able to write full words using the Arabic letters.

If you're searching for other Arabic learning online materials, visit my posts of Arabic Learning Resources and Arabic Online Dictionary.

Learn Chinese on YouTube

You will be taught Chinese language pronunciation, useful Chinese phrases and a thorough introduction to the Chinese writing system.

A related post to this language is a number of video tutorials on the 12 Chinese Zodiac Symbols.

Learn Hebrew on YouTube

In this series of videos teaching you the Hebrew alphabet you will learn much more than the basics. It is a long series of video tutorials of the Hebrew language, but it is basically a "full course" on learning how to read and write in Hebrew.

For more Hebrew tutorials, visit: Hebrew Language Resources.

Learn Japanese on YouTube

Find an array of Japanese video tutorials on Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji and even Japanese phrases (with grammar) and Japanese numbers. You will also find an instructive and entertaining post on Japanese origami.

Visit my post Japanese Language Resources to find out sites and other materials to help you learn Japanese.

Click here if you need a good Japanese Symbol Dictionary.

Learn Brazilian Portuguese on YouTube

Helps you learn the Portuguese alphabet (including tutorials on Brazilian Portuguese vowels and consonants pronunciation), Portuguese verbs (with useful Brazilian Portuguese phrases).

You will also find a number of Brazilian related posts such as posts about Brazilian flag, Facts of Brazil (with Brazilian history videos) and Brazilian Baby Names.

For online Portuguese grammar, verb conjugations, Portuguese dictionaries, etc, visit my post Portuguese Language Resources.

Learn Swedish on YouTube

My Swedish language post brings you an excellent collection of videos teaching you from the elementary sounds of the Swedish alphabet to grammar and sentence structure.

To find out more sites where you can learn Swedish, please visit my post Swedish Language Resources

Learn Italian on YouTube

Want to start learning some Italian?

Start on my post Italian words, where you learn a small vocabulary of everyday usage.

Also enjoy learning some useful sentences in modern Italian on my post Italian phrases. I've post video tutorials teaching you everything from the most common ways of greetings and saying goodbye, to Italian numbers and telling the time.

Learn the Sign Language Alphabet on YouTube

If you would like to become a polyglot in using using sign language, visit my post Sign Language Alphabet and learn how the sign language alphabet is used in different countries.

Learn Welsh on YouTube

On this post you will video lessons teaching you some basics of the Welsh language such as the Welsh alphabet, how to count in Welsh, and some basic everyday Welsh phrases.

2009-01-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

Hebrew Online Dictionary

I have Babylon installed on my computer and I must say that it is the most convenient translation tool I've ever used.

What is Babylon?

Simply put, Babylon is a desktop translation software that works on the idea of a single-click translation.

Here is a short YouTube presentation of Babylon software features:

Babylon also has an array of free Hebrew dictionaries and glossaries (for online use only): Check out their Hebrew dictionaries and glossaries. They even have some technical Hebrew-English-Hebrew glossaries.

Author's note: If you are a Hebrew speaker and would like to learn Brazilian Portuguese, please visit my blog פורטוגזית ברזילאית

2009-01-27T11:23:00.000-08:00

Online Arabic Dictionaries

Babylon is a translation wonder tool for its practicality and user-friendly translation software.

What is Babylon?

Simply put, Babylon is a desktop translation software that works on the idea of a single-click translation.

Here is a short YouTube presentation of Babylon software features:

Babylon’s English-Arabic dictionaries (Free) is a wide collection of bilingual dictionaries including highly specialized Arabic glossaries.

With Dicts.info's English to Arabic and Arabic to English dictionaries, you have a great online Arabic translation tool. As a bonus, it provides related expressions for each translation requested.

Arabic Language Related Posts

Arabic Alphabet | Arabic Writing | Arabic Numbers | Arabic Language Resources

Rate this post:

2009-01-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Understanding your Chinese zodiac sign...

The fabric of Chinese culture is intrinsically woven with the Chinese Zodiac Symbols; they permeate countless Chinese legends, and are a rich source of wisdom as well as of entertainment.

Here you will find a "crash course" on the Chinese Zodiac Symbols: Each video tutorial provides a quick introduction into the main traits and characteristics of each sign.

On the second session of this post, you will be presented with all the Zodiac symbols written in Chinese.

After the videos, you have a summing up of all the animals for astrological signs for Chinese astrology.

If you know of other YouTube videos on the Chinese zodiacs, please let me know.

Enjoy!

Dates and Traits of each of the Chinese Zodiac Symbols

This amazing collection of videos is brought to us by the folks of Expert Village.

The presenter (sorry, I just can’t get her name right...), gives us brief explanations of the traits pertaining to each Chinese Zodiac Symbol. She does go a little but too quickly, though; therefore, I wrote a summary of each Chinese zodiac sign at the end of this post.

Highly educative and a must-watch!

1 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Rat

2 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Ox

3 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Tiger

4 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Rabbit

5 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Dragon

6 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Snake

7 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Horse

8 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Sheep

9 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Monkey

10 - Chinese Zodiac Signs: The Rooster

11 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Dog

12 - Chinese Zodiac Symbols: The Pig

Writing the Chinese Zodiacs

This next presentation will show you the zodiac symbols written in Chinese and teach you the strokes necessary to write them.

It was uploaded by crazyhanyu (Cool name! :-).

Summing up...

Here you have a list with all the animals for astrological signs for Chinese astrology:

Dates: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008...

Strengths: Systematic, meticulous, charismatic and charming.

Weaknesses: Selfish, judgmental and scheming.

Dates: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009...

Strengths: Calm, patient, a hard worker.

Weaknesses: narrow minded, strict, demanding.

Dates: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 210...

Strengths: Daring, vigorous, sincere.

Weaknesses: quick-tempered, reckless, selfish.

Dates: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011...

Strengths: Kind, amiable and elegant.

Weaknesses: Detached, moody and opportunistic.

Dates: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012...

Strengths: Vigorous, self-confident and noble.

Weaknesses: Demanding, dogmatic and brash.

Dates: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013...

Strengths: Wise, sensual and shrewd.

Weaknesses: distrustful, loner and not communicative.

Dates: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014...

Strengths: Cheerful, perceptive and agile both physically and mentally.

Weaknesses: arrogant, rude and stubborn.

Dates: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015...

Strengths: Sympathetic, shy and gentle.

Weaknesses: Pessimistic, indecisive and a complainer.

Dates: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1943, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016...

Strengths: Motivator, inquisitive and innovative.

Weaknesses: Cunning, manipulative and snobbish.

Dates: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1944, 1957, 1969,, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017...

Strengths: Neat, organized and decisive.

Weaknesses: Critical, egotistical and opinionated.

Dates: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018...

Strengths: Loyal, attractive and unpretentious.

Weaknesses: Pessimistic, a worrier and a tad judgmental.

Dates: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019...

Strengths: Honest, humble and sociable.

Weaknesses: naive, over-dependent and fatalistic.

Feng Shui and the Chinese Astrology

Fancy throwing an oriental party? First, learn the tips on how to do it from Chinese Astrologer, Ting-Foon Chik. On this YouTube video, she takes us on a learning journey on how to use Chinese Zodiac Symbols to prepare a great and energy-balanced party, from decoration to food:

Books on the Chinese Zodiac Symbols

The YouTubers
All these videos posted are thanks to the wonderful work done by the following YouTubers:

Expert Village

Foonchik

CrazyHanyu

For more information on the Chinese Zodiac Symbols, visit these sites:

1 - Want to know more about Chinese Astrology? Visit Chinese Zodiac for an overview of what the Chinese Horoscope is all about.

2 - I found http://horoscopes.aol.tarot.com/astrology/chinese/ to be very thorough in their descriptions of the Chinese Zodiac. Tell me what you think about it…

3 - Ningtiger's wonderful blog offers us an introduction on Chinese Astrology and brief explanations on the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs. Pay her a visit and discover how the Chinese Horoscope works.

4 - Most of the photographs on this blog comes from Stock-XCHNG, one of the best sites for free (and paid) photos on the Web. Their archive of photos is astounding!

2009-01-14T02:11:00.000-08:00

Your first lessons in Welsh can start here...

Hello and welcome to my post on the Welsh Language!

Welsh is a vibrant language still spoken by over 750,000 people in Wales and throughout the world (even in Patagonia, Argentina.)

Although the Welsh language has a long history of struggle for her survival, it has been gaining more and more prominence, especially after the Welsh Language Act of 1993.

Nowadays, Welsh has equal status to English in all public sectors throughout Wales.

Below you have a series of videos teaching the basics of this beautiful - and, for me, enigmatic - language.

Enjoy!

Learning the Welsh Alphabet
The next video was uploaded by Adam. He teaches us the Welsh alphabet and gives us a thorough introduction into the pronunciation of Welsh letters. (See the link to Adam's page below)

Learning the Welsh alphabet with Adam

Learning the Welsh Numbers

The Welsh Numbers with the Purple Librarian (See link on "YouTubers" - below)

Purple Librarian (love that name!:-) has uploaded this tutorial teaching us how to count from 1 to 21 in Welsh. The sound is great and her (his?) pronunciation is clear. Great vid!

Learning Welsh numbers with Adam

Again by Adam are these next two excellent video lessons teaching us how to count in Welsh from twenty to a million.

Learning some Welsh Words
This next set of videos teaches some really useful Welsh words. All videos in this section were prepared by Adam. They are a wonderful pronunciation practice after you've learned the Welsh alphabet.

Here goes a huge THANK YOU to Adam for his Welsh language tutorials! (See the link to his site below)

1 - Days of the Week

2 - Months of the Year

3 - Colors

Learning Welsh Phrases

This video teaches some basic Welsh Sentences; uploaded by walesyddraiggoch, it is a BBC production for learning the Welsh language. I checked out the BBC site, and it is a great one for those interested in taking a self-study course in Welsh (See link below)

Books for Learning Welsh

Books about Wales and Welsh culture

Welsh Language Online Resources

The Welsh Language Course on the BBC site brings you hundreds of listening, vocabulary and grammar activities for the beginner, intermediate and advanced learners.

If you want to learn about Wales and be updated with the country's latest event, BBC Wales is the perfect site for you.

Babylon has two sets of online Welsh-English dictionaries.

You can either search a Welsh term online, or download their translation software and receive Welsh-English-Welsh translations by clicking on a word in you desktop. (The software is for pay, but they give you a seven-day trial with no commitment).

Omniglot does it again!

They have compiled a great collection of Welsh phrases (with audio!.

The Welsh Language YouTubers

Purple Librarian

Learn Welsh Dysgwch - by Adam

Italian Bread Recipes

2009-01-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

Learning some delicious Italian bread recipes...

I know, I know. This is a blog supposed to be about languages. But as I've been spending so much time at home watching and selecting language YouTube videos, I brought back into my every day life an old passion of mine: baking bread.

Yes, that's right. I love bread and over the years I've collected a good number of Italian bread recipes.

To go with the theme of this blog, I've selected for you YouTube videos teaching you (and me!!) the ins and outs of baking mouth-watering Italian bread.

I don't know about you, but I need simple recipes. So all the videos below will teach you simple Italian bread recipes that won't leave you frustrated with the results. Believe me, I tried two of them with success.

Enjoy!

General Italian Bread Recipes

Joyce's Italian Bread Recipe

This next video, uploaded by Foxbytes, teaches us step-by-step how to easily bake Italian bread (it has subtitles so get your pen and paper ready!).

Brook's Italian bread recipe: Ciabatta

Brook61 has uploaded this great Italian bread recipe for Ciabatta bread (I tried it. It works great!:-)

Italian Bread Recipe: Italian Cornbread, Pane di Granoturco

Brought to us by the wonderful site Food Wishes, this easy-to-make Italian cornbread is real treat to the senses.

Italian Bread Recipes: Tomato Bruschetta

On this video Giulio teaches us how to make, on his words, the real Italian bruschetta.

Italian Bread Recipes: Bruschetta with sausage and bree cheese

I really love these video tutorials by Under the Tuscan Gun. Debbie and Grabiele teach us how to prepare a delicious - if not a little difficult to make - bruschetta.

Italian Bread Recipes: No Knead Focaccia

On this video, Dave teaches us how to make a focaccia that you don't have to knead.

Italian Bread Recipes: Roasted Tomato Focaccia

Keith Snows gives us this easy recipe to prepare roasted tomato focaccia. Delicious!

Meet the YouTube Chefs

All these delicious Italian bread recipes were generously prepared by these fantastic YouTubers:

Foxbytes

Keith Snow

Brook61

Food Wishes

Italy Recipes

Under the Tuscan Gun

Dave Scarpetti

| Traduttore Online Gratuito

Do you know more Italian bread recipes?
Share with us in the comments below!

Italian Language Resources

2009-01-11T10:50:00.001-08:00

Getting serious about learning Italian...

Hello and welcome to my post on Italian Language Resources.

Listed here are the best Italian resources I could find for you to continue your studies of the Italian language. (I am updating constantly!!)

I've placed here online resources for practicing Italian grammar, Italian phrases and Italian words.

If you are searching for a good Italian dictionary, visit my post Free Translation to Italian.

Enjoy!

Recommended Books for Learning Italian
Although I haven't personally used all books and learning software listed, I've set my own personal criteria to to ensure that I've brought you what I think is the best material for learning Italian. For example, I made sure all materials had at least a 4 star rating (rated by 3 people or more), and read a couple of good and bad reviews.

In any case, you are invited to leave me a comment if you have used any of the materials here listed.

Italian Verbs:

Italian Grammar:

Sites for Learning Italian Verbs and Grammar

Teach Yourself Italian is most certainly a labor of love by Andrew; his site, online since 1999, is one of the most complete sites for you to learn Italian grammar. It explains everything from Italian nouns, articles, adverbs, to a complete tutorial on the tricky Italian verb conjugations. Realy worth a visit!

On Italian Tutorial you have another great resource of Italian grammar on the web. It presents you with clear-cut explanations of all facets of the grammatica italiana. This site belongs to Boris and he has put a considerable amount of time and effort to bring us this excellent tutorial. A five-star Italian tutorial!

The Italian Language site is brought to you by Richard Willmer. On his site, he explains about the origins of the Italian language, its different accents and dialects, and, of course, he also has loads of Italian grammar lessons. For people who the Italian language, this is a must-visit site!

Italian Phrases

Omniglot has a good collection of useful Italian phrases. All with audio!

Don't forget to pay a visit to Travel Phrase before your next visit to Italy. They have dozens of Italian phrases for every situation you might find yourself in while in Italy.

Would you like to build your family tree? My Heritage offers you one of the best online platforms to help you perform your genealogical research. It provides an easy-to-use and intuitive platform that makes your job a real breeze.

The YouTubers

Studio 4 Learning

NadasItaly

Rocket277

Italwest

Learn Italian like Crazy

Byki TV

Italian Words | Italian Phrases | Free Translation to Italian

Did you like any of the resources listed here?
Leave your answer in the comments below!

2009-01-09T11:30:00.001-08:00

Time to learn useful Italian phrases...

Hello and welcome to my post Leaning Italian Phrases!

I've selected for you a number of video lessons teaching you a handful of Italian phrases so that you can start speaking Italian right away.

If you would like to first learn some Italian words and have a thorough introduction to the Italian pronunciation system, visit my post Italian Words.

Enjoy!

Learning Italian phrases: Greetings and Goodbyes
These next two video lessons were produced and uploaded by the folks at Studio4Learning. they teach you the very basic Italian ways of greeting and saying goodbye in both formal and informal contexts.

Really entertaining!

Learning Italian Phrases: Greetings and Goodbyes (Informal)

Learning Italian Phrases: Greetings and Goodbyes (Formal)

Useful Italian Phrases
You will simply love these next two videos uploaded by NadasItaly!

The first video teaches you some really useful everyday-use Italian expressions together with a "tutorial" on understanding Italian hand gestures. Really funny and, we could say, cultural. In them you wll also learn Italian phrases such as how to say "good morning", "good afternoon", etc. in Italian.

Italian Phrases and Hand Gestures, video 1

Italian Phrases and Hand Gestures, video 2

Recommended Books for Learning Italian Phrases

Italian Words | Italian English Dictionary | Italian Language Resources |

2009-01-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

Expanding your Italian vocabulary...

Hello and welcome to my post on Italian words.

On this post, you will not only learn some Italian vocabulary, but also how to say Italian words properly.

In the first section of this post, you will find video lessons teaching the Italian alphabet and also receive a thorough introduction into Italian word pronunciation (with practice!).

In the sections, you can watch presentations teaching Italian numbers and how to say the time; You also learn the days of the week and how to say the colors in Italian.

If you feel ready, jump to my post Italian phrases to learn a handful of daily Italian sentences and expressions.

Don't forget to let me know what you think by leaving me your comments and suggestions!

Enjoy!

Learning Italian Words with Rocket277

Rocket277 has produced and uploaded a fantastic collection of videos for us to learn everything from simple Italian words to the basics of the Italian grammar and sentence formation.

The quality of his videos are good and he repeats all the instructions twice, first in English then in Italian.

Italian words with Rocket277: The Italian alphabet.

Italian words with Rocket277: Italian Consonant and vowel Pronunciation

Learning basic Italian Words: numbers and Time

This next video lesson, uploaded by Italwest, will teach you how to count in Italian from 0 to 1000.Great quality of sound and easy-to-follow pace!

Italian words: counting from 0 to 1000

The Learning Italian like Crazy team have uploaded some samples of their Italian lessons; Here is a taster giving you a review of Italian numbers together with a complete tutorial on how to say the time in Italian. The teacher, Giovanna, gives a very good and paced lesson making it very easy to follow and learn.

Italian Words: numbers and time, lesson 1

Italian Words: how to say the time and time expressions, lesson 2

Learning basic Italian Words: Colors

Enjoy this next lesson, presented by Byki TV, in which you will learn how to say the names of colors in Italian.

Italian words: Colors

Learning Italian words: Days of the Week

Again by the folks at Learning Italian Like Crazy, Giovanna teaches us how to say the days of the week in Italian together with some related sentences and expressions.

Learning Italian words: Days of the Week

Recommended Books for Learning Italian Words (and more)

Italian Phrases | Italian English Dictionary | Italian Language Resources

What is your favorite Italian word?
Leave your answer in the comments below!

2009-01-08T06:10:00.000-08:00

The Sign Language Alphabet from around the world...

Hello and welcome to most on learning the Sign Language Alphabet!

Below you will find an assortment of videos teaching the sign language alphabet as it is used by different cultures and countries.

If you know of any video teaching the sign language alphabet in a country not listed below, please write to me at Learn a Language on YouTube

Enjoy!

American Sign Language Alphabet, Video 1

American Sign Language Alphabet, Video 2

Russian Sign Language Alphabet

Irish Sign Language Alphabet

British Sign Language Alphabet

Japanese Sign Language Alphabet

Spanish Sign Language Alphabet

Finnish Sign Language Alphabet

Vietnamese Sign Language Alphabet

Australian Sign Language Alphabet

New Zealand Sign Language Alphabet

Swedish Language Resources

2009-01-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to my post Swedish Language Resources!

I've selected here a number of sites and other online resources to help you continue learning the Swedish language.

Enjoy

Swedish Dictionary

I have Babylon installed on my computer and I must say that it is the most convenient translation tool I've ever used.

What is Babylon?

Simply put, Babylon is a desktop translation software that works on the idea of a single-click translation.

Here is a short YouTube presentation of Babylon software features:

Babylon also has an array of free Swedish dictionaries and glossaries (for online use only): Check out their Swedish to English and English to Swedish dictionaries and glossaries, including some technical Swedish-English-Swedish glossaries as well.

Online Oversattning

Swedish Language Books

Although I haven't personally used all books and learning software listed, I've set some kind of criteria to to ensure that I've brought you what I think is the best material for learning Swedish. For example, I made sure all materials had at least a 4 star rating (rated by 3 people or more), and read a couple of good and bad reviews.

In any case, you are invited to leave me a comment if you have used any of the materials here listed.

Swedish Grammar and Phrases

101 Languages is one of the most complete sites where you can find Swedish grammar, Swedish useful phrases, and more. It also has a good number of grammar and phrases pages on many languages such as Arabic, Japanese, Portuguese, etc.

Mr. Aaron Rubin offers us a complete and free Swedish Language Course with his brilliant site that helps us learn and understand Swedish grammar and vocabulary . His page is simple but thorough, covering all aspects of Swedish grammar usage.

Learn Swedish in Sweden

Study in Sweden is no doubt the most comprehensive site for those who are thinking of studying in Sweden. It brings you information on all aspects of student life and needs from finding a suitable university or course, to accommodation and visa requirements.

The YouTubers

A huge thanks goes to the following YouTubers who have put their time and effort to brings us these instructive Swedish video tutorials.

TheStadam

Japanese Language Resources

2008-12-29T04:05:00.000-08:00

Take your Japanese learning to the next level.

Find below a number of sites where you may continue your studies of the Japanese language.

If it’s a good Japanese dictionary you’re looking for, visit my post Japanese symbol dictionary.

Enjoy!

日本語翻訳 – Translation of Japanese words and text to and from many languages.

Japanese Books and Learning Programs
Although I haven't personally used all books and learning software listed, I've set some kind of criteria to to ensure that I've brought you what I think is the best material for learning Japanese. For example, I made sure all materials had at least a 4 star rating (rated by 3 people or more), and read a couple of good and bad reviews.

In any case, you are invited to leave me a comment if you have used any of the materials here listed.

Japanese Vocabulary and Grammar:

Japanese Hiragana and Katakana:

Hiragana & Katakana Practice

Phil Gyford has prepared a page for you to test your knowledge of Hiragana and Katakana. Real cool resource.

On Kanji Step's pages you can find loads of materials to practice your knowledge skills in Hiragana and Katakana.

If you are looking for a smooth introduction into the Japanese language, this is a great place to start.

The National Council of Japanese Language Teachers promotes the development of materials for Japanese learning and teaching. It offers two publications (print and online): Oshirase and their digital newsletter, E-Oshirase.

Tae Kim's blog will become one of your favorite Japanese resources if you want to immerse yourself in the world of the Japanese language. She writes instructive articles for the beginner, intermediate and advanced level learners of Japanese. A real gem of a site.

The YouTubers

The Japanese video tutorials brought to you on this blog are thanks to the work of following the YouTubers:

Kyle Eppard

Akita Tom

Victor: gimeabreakman

Artmnet0

LearnFree2007

The Japan Shop

Sodapencil: Talk Sushi

Kohyin

Japanese Words Hiragana Hiragana Writing Katakana Japanese numbers Japanese Symbol Dictionary Japanese Origami

Hebrew Language Resources

2008-12-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Learn Hebrew Online

Learn Hebrew Online is the best established online course available for you to learn Hebrew.

Their courses are highly effective and they have all the resources to offer you the highest quality in teaching materials for the beginner, intermediate and advanced learners.

Alongside loads of conversation practice, you will also learn how to write and read Hebrew.

Here is a video demonstrating how their online Hebrew classes work. It's really amazing what technology and professionalism can do for us these days! :-) Enjoy!

They also have available beginner, intermediate and advanced courses in Biblical Hebrew.

Hebrew Books and Learning Programs

Here are some of the books and learning software on Amazon.

I've used my own criteria in selecting them; for example, all are rated 4 stars(rated by 3 people or more), and I read some reviews reviews.

Courses on Modern Hebrew:

Hebrew Verbs and Grammar:

Biblical Hebrew:

Learn Hebrew Software (Modern and Biblical):

Other Sites of Interest
Looking for a map of Israel? Then visit Gems in Israel. This brilliant site offers you a "talking map", which means that you can not only find the place you're searching for, but also listen to how it is pronounced. Great job!

Hebrew Pod has all you need in terms of furthering your knowledge of this beautiful language. You can enjoy a lot of their materials onsite, free of charge.

The National Center for the Hebrew Language is the address to find all Hebrew language related materials, sites, news, etc. Sign up to their newsletter and enrich your knowledge.

Foundation Stone has developed an extraordinary (and free!!) software for learning Hebrew. Their program will teach you from the basics of the Hebrew alphabet to a fluent level of Hebrew reading. It suits beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Siddur Audio will help you learn Hebrew while chanting beautiful Hebrew prayers. It is a wonderful work by Rabbi Mark Zimmerman.

Hebraico

Author's note: If you are a Hebrew speaker and would like to learn Brazilian Portuguese, please visit my blog פורטוגזית ברזילאת

Related Posts:
Hebrew Alphabet | Hebrew Online Dictionary

Rate this post:

2008-12-26T07:42:00.001-08:00

Learning the Hebrew alphabet and Hebrew words...

Hello and welcome to my post on the Hebrew Alphabet.

Find here a collection of videos teaching you the basics of the Hebrew letter sounds and vowel accents.

And, as always, you can find some study materials for Hebrew at my post Hebrew Language Resources.

I will be constantly updating this post, so please Email me if you find more resources for learning Hebrew.

Enjoy!

Hebrew Alphabet

This is a series of 11 videos by www.bnaiorpueblo.com.

I have searched around quite a bit and this series of videos is definitely one of the best for learning the Hebrew alphabet: Their step-by-step approach to the teaching of the Hebrew letters is so well planned and systematic that you can easily learn to read Hebrew.

If you follow their advice, and study for at least 20 minutes a day (even if you only watch the videos, I suppose), you will be reading Hebrew words in no time.

So here they are:

Hebrew Alphabet: Introduction, letters "aleph", "bet" and vowel sounds

Hebrew Alphabet: letters from "aleph" to "dalet" and vowel sounds

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "hey" and "vav", letter sound "segol":

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "zain" and "chet", vowel sound "sheva"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "te" and "iud", vowel sound "qubutz"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "kaf" and Khaf", vowel "zeyre"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "lamed" and "mem", vowel "chirik"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "nun" and "samech", vowel "cholem"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "Ain" and "Peh"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "tzadeh" and "kuf"

Hebrew Alphabet: Letters "resh", "shin" (or "sin") and "taf"

Singing the Hebrew Alphabet

Now, if you like learning through singing, prepare your vocal chords because you will love (I did!!) the next two videos:

Author's note: If you're a Hebrew speaker and would like to learn Portuguese, please visit my blog פורטוגזית ברזילאית

Rate this post:

Other Languages on this Blog:
Arabic | Chinese | Portuguese | Japanese | Swedish

Books I recommend for learning the Hebrew Alphabet:

Did you like the videos posted here?
Leave your answer in the comments below!

Japanese Origami Resources

2008-12-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

(Attention: All links below will open a new window!)

Recommended Books for Learnning Japanese Origami:

Origami.org is a haven of origami resources throughout the world, and it also brings you a database of origami diagrams. Real worth a visit!

Give your children hours of fun with Tammy Yee's Japanese Orgami page: She has plenty of delightful activities to keep you and your children entertained with paperfolding. Tammy is the winner of the Honor Awards for the 2008 Storytelling World Awards in the Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners category. Congratulations Tammy!

Visit Eric's Origami Page and find out how much fun paperfolding can be. Among many other things, you can even find online paperfolding lessons.

Gilad Aharoni has put up an excellent page on Japanese Origami resources; in it you can find Origami books, Origami organizations and other related sites. He also has a gallery of his own origami works.

Visit Lisa Shea's site and see her beautiful origami works.

Expert Village has an archive of thousands of video tutorials teaching you everything under the sun.

2008-12-22T13:42:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to my post on writing Japanese Hiragana!
If this is your first contact with this Japanese alphabet, I recommend you start with my post Japanese Hiragana Symbols.

Enjoy!

This series of videos, uploaded and presented by Artmnet0, is one of the best on YouTube to teach you how to write Japanese Hiragana.

The quality of the image is great and the sound is just excellent; he also repeats each Hiragana a couple of times which help the beginner learner a lot.

A huge thanks to Artmnet0 for these videos!

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 1:

a, i, u, e, o / ka, ki, ku, ke, ko

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 2:

sa, shi, su, se, so / ta, tchi, tzu, te, to

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 3:

na, ni, nu, ne, no / ha, hi, hu, he, ho

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 4:

ma, mi, mu, me, mo / ya, yu, yo

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 5:

ra, ri, ru, re, ro / wa, o, n

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 6:

ga gi gu ge go / za zi zu ze zo / da zi zu de do / ba bi bu be bo / pa pi pu pe po

Writing Japanese Hiragana with Artmnet0, 7:

"ia" / "iu" / "io" (as endings)

Other Japanese Resources on this Blog:

Japanese Symbol Dictionary | Japanese Language Resources

2008-12-22T11:42:00.001-08:00

Learning Japanese Katakana easily...

Welcome to my post on learning Katakana!

Katakana is a form of the Japanese syllabary alphabet used to write foreign words (such as names of countries, cities, non-Japanese names, etc.). Modern Japanese has around 20.000 loan words and all must be written in Katakana.

On this post you will learn to read and write Katakana, and have some comparative exercises of both Hiragana and Katakana.

Enjoy!

Introduction to the Japanese Katakana

Here is a video presentation uploaded by kohyin. It goes through the entire Hiragana and Katakana alphabet presenting each symbol next to each other.

Learn How to Write Katakana

Artmnet0's 8 videos will teach you how to write the Katakana in an easy and "almost" effortlessly way. The image and sound quality of his work is excellent and he writes each and every Katakana a number of times, making it one of the best tutorials available.

Writing Katakana with Artmnet0
a, i, u e, o / ka, ki ku, ke, ko

Writing Katakana with Artmnet0
sa, shi, su, se, so / ta, tchi, tzu, te, to

Writing Katakana with Artmnet0
na, ni, nu, ne, no / ha, hi, hu, he, ho

Writing Katakana with Artmnet0
ma, mi, mu, me, mo / ya, yu, yo

Writing Katakana with Artmnet0
ra, ri, ru, re, ro / wa, o (wo), n

Writing Katakana
ga, gi, gu, ge, go / za, zi, zu, ze, zo
da, zi, zu, de, do / ba, bi, bu, be, bo / pa, pi, pu, pe, po

Writing Katakana with Artmnet0
Small Japanese endins: ya, yu, yo

Writing Katakana with Artmnet
Written comparison between Hiragana and Katakana

Recommended Books for Learning Katakana:

Japanese Words | Hiragana | Japanese Origami | Japanese Numbers

Japanese Language Resources

Japanese Symbol Dictionary | Japanese Language Resources

Rate this post:

2008-12-22T07:46:00.001-08:00

Choosing a Brazilian baby name...

Brazilian baby names receive the influence of the Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, African, French and German languages, as well as from a rich indigenous culture. The latter being what some may arguably say are the truest Brazilian baby names.

Another interesting fact about naming a child is that often Brazilian parents give their child a middle name. For instance, in Brazil you will hear names such as “Paulo Ricardo” or “Maria Alice”.

I once met a guy who had four middle names! And he was very proud of it (as, in fact, most Brazilians are of their long list of names and family names).

According to Brazilian law (as far as I know) the child usually has to receive two family names: The first from his mother’s side, and the second from his father’s.

Unlike other Western countries, in Brazil it is extremely hard to change one’s name once the birth certificate is issued. Itwould take a whole court case (with lawyers, judges and all) to change that.

Funnily enough, despite having hundreds of thousands of Brazilian baby names to choose from, in Brazil you can hear names which are clearly of Anglo-Saxon origin, but that have been sort of “brazilianized”. Such names include: “Maikol” (for Michael), Uólaci (for Wallace), Uóshito (for Washington), and so on.

Below you will find a small list of Brazilian baby names and their origins. Mind you, this is not a list of the top, most popular Brazilian baby names. This list will provide you with the rythms and sounds of Brazilian pronunciation as Brazilians say them (after all, you are searching for a Brazilian baby name, right?)

I am soon to add more and include a video presentation teaching you how to pronounce them (remember: Brazilian Portuguese does not sound like Spanish at all!!).

Enjoy!

Brazilian Baby Names for Boys

• Afonso (Germanic): noble and ready.

• Álvaro (Germanic): nobel guardian

• Anderson (English): André’s son.

• André (Greek): man warrior.

• Anselmo (Germanic): divine protection.

• Aquiles (Greek): terrible wolf.

• Armando (Germanic): army man.

• Arnaldo (Germanic): strong as an eagle.

• Aroldo (Germanic): army commander.

• Artur (Celtic): strong as a bear.

• Augusto (Latin): great, magnificent.

• Basílio (Greek/Latin): variant of basil, royal.

• Benício (Latin): to speak well of someone.

• Bernardo (Germanic): brave as a bear.

• Bruno (Germanic): armour, brown.

• Caetano (Italian): variation from ‘Gaetano’, the one from the Gaeta region .

• César (Latin): the one who has long hair, comes from the name Caesar.

• Cristiano (Greek): follower of Christ.

• Daniel (Hebrew): God is my Judge.

• Davi/d (Hebrew): beloved.

• Enzo (Germanic): home ruler, conqueror.

• Fábio (Latin): variant form of ‘Fabius’, broad bean.

• Fabrício (Latin): craftsman.

• Felipe (Greek): the one who likes horses.

• Fernando (Germanic): intelligent and brave.

• Francisco (Latin): variant of ‘Francis’, meaning Frenchman or free one.

• Frederico (Germanic): peaceful ruler.

• Gabriel (Hebrew): the one who was sent by God.

• Guilherme (Germanic): the protector.

• Gustavo (Swedish): royal staff.

• João (Hebrew): God is gracious.

• Joaquim (Hebrew): the one who Lord exalts.

• José (Hebrew): the one who will enlarge.

• Júlio (Latin): full of energy, youth.

• Levi (Hebrew): combined, united.

• Lourenço (Latin): man from Laurentum, honoured.

• Lucas (Greek): variant form of the biblical name ‘Luke’, meaning light.

• Luis (Germanic): famous warrior

• Marcelo (Latin): Hammer

• Marcos (Latin): Protected by the planet Mars

• Mateus (Hebrew): gift of God.

• Otávio (Latin): the eighth son.

• Patricio (Latin): variant form of ‘Patrick’ meaning noble.

• Paulo (Latin): short man, humble.

• Pedro (Latin): stone, rock.

• Raul (Anglo-Saxon): variant form of ‘Ralph’ meaning wolf council.

• Rodolfo (Germanic): Spanish form of ‘Rudolph’ meaning famous wolf.

• Rodrigo (Germanic): famous ruler.

• Ronaldo (Germanic): variant of ‘Ronald’ meaning ruler with counsel.

• Rubens (Hebrew): son of God.

• Sílvio (Latin): from the Latin word for ‘tree’.

• Vinícius (Latin): wine producer.

• Vitor (Latin): conqueror, victory.

Brazilian Baby Names for Girls

• Alice (Greek) : noble kind, true person.

• Amanda (Latin): worth to be loved.

• Ana (Hebrew): full of grace, beautiful.

• Anabela (Spanish): very gracious.

• Andréa (Greek): feminine version of ‘Andrew’ meaning manly, warrior.

• Andressa (Latin): feminine, brave.

• Angélica (Greek/Latin): pure as an angel.

• Alina/e (Latin): noble.

• Antônia (Latin): feminine form of ‘Antonio’ which means beyond praise.

• Araci (Tupi - Brazilian Indigenous language): Mother of day

• Beatriz (Latin): the one who makes people happy.

• Bela (Latin): beautiful, good-looking.

• Camila (Latin): altar server, noble.

• Carolina (Latin): feminine form of ‘Carlos’ meaning strong, manly.

• Cintia (Latin): woman of Kinthos.

• Cristina (Greek): follower of Christ.

• Daniela/e (French): “God is my Judge”.

• Débora (Hebrew): bee.

• Elisabete/th (Hebrew): “My God is a vow”.

• Eloisa (French): variation of the name ‘Louise’ meaning hale and wide.

• Emmanuelle (French): feminine form of ‘Emmanuel’ meaning ‘God is with us’.

• Estela (Latin): star.

• Gabriela (Hebrew): the one who was sent by God.

• Gisele (Germanic): pledge.

• Graziela (Italian): gracious, happy.

• Helena (Greek): torch, light.

• Iracema (Tupi - Brazilian Indigenous Language): Born from honey.

• Isabel (Hebrew): “my God is a vow”.

• Isabelle (French): French version of ‘Isabel’ bearing the same meaning.

• Isadora (Greek): gift from the Greek goddess Isis.

• Janaína (Tupi - Brazilian Indigenous Language): Queen of the home.

• Jaqueline (French): French adaptation of ‘Jacob’ meaning winner.

• Júlia (Latin): full of energy and youthfulness.

• Juliana (Latin): variation of the Latin ‘Júlia’.

• Karen (Greek): abbreviation of the name ‘Katherine’ which means pure.

• Laura (Latin): laurel tree or sweet bay tree symbolic of honor and victory.

• Letícia (Latin): full of happiness.

• Luana (Italian): from the word ‘moon’.

• Luisa (French): warrior.

• Luzia (Spanish): gifted woman.

• Madalena (Latin): magnificent person.

• Mariana (Latin): Latinized form of ‘Marian’ meaning bitter.

• Rafaela (Hebrew): “God has healed”.

• Raquel (Hebrew): innocent person.

• Rebeca (Hebrew): the one who unites the others.

• Renata (Latin): the one who was born again.

• Rita (Latin/Greek/Sanskrit): pearl, righteous.

• Rute (Hebrew): companion, friend, full of beauty.

• Sara (Hebrew): princess.

• Sofia (Greek): wisdom.

• Vitória (Latin): conqueror, victory.

• Yara (Tupi - Indigenous Brazilian Language): Mermeid, mother of the waters.

Brazilian Baby Names of Indigenous Origin
Although Brazil abounds in indigenous names for places, towns, cities, animals, plants, rivers, etc. there are relatively few native names given to children, even fewer for boys. Most brazilian baby names listed below derive from the Tupi language (one of the once most widespread tribal language of Brazil).

• Araci (girl) = star of the day.

• Cauã (boy)= Eagle

• Guaraci (girl) = Sun, summer

• Irani (girl) = Small bee

• Jaci (girl or boy) = Moon

• Juçara (girl)= Name of a palm tree

• Maiara (girl) = The wise one

• Ubirajara (boy) = spearman

Brazilian Baby Names and their Nicknames
Before considering any name for a child, a parent should also take into consideration the nicknames (or simple abbreviations) associated with that name. For example, most Brazilian baby names have a "nickname" to them. Here is a small list of the most common ones:

For boys...

• Eduardo = "Dudu"

• Francisco = "Chico"

• Roberto = "Beto"

• Fernando = "Nando"

• José = "Zé"

For Girls...

• Alícia = "Lícia" or "Lí"

• Fátima = "Fafá"

• Elisabete = "Bê" or "Beti"

• Andréia = "Dedéia"

• Tatiana = "Tati"

Brazilian Baby Names and Trends

As in any other culture, Brazilian baby names trends change with time. A name that was hugely popular in a generation, might sound "old fashioned" in another.

Names such as Basílio (on the list above) and Madalena (also on the list above)were once very popular (never hugely, though), but today I doubt many Brazilian parents would pick these names out for their babies.

I've heard that many parents today in Brazil are "reviving" some names (mainly "double names") that were falling in disuse. This includes names such as:

For boys...

* Paulo Ricardo

* João Victor (or Vitor)

* Sérgio Luiz

* Antônio Augusto ("Algusto" seems to be an all-time favorite middle name for boys in Brazil)

For girls...

* Maria Alice

* Maria Antônia

* Ana Catarina

* Eleonora

* Beatriz

And in case you were wondering what the too most popular names in Brazil are, here is the asnwer: José (for, er, boys) and Maria (for...really need to know?). But I must say that, to the best of my knowledge, these are not currently the most popular Brazilian baby names.

You will also hear popular male Anglo-saxon family names being used as first names in Brazil. For example:

* Nelson (very popular)

* Wilson

* Kennedy (not so popular, but yes, I've met a few)

* Milton

* Nilton (from Newton)

I am soon to place another list on this post, selecting the most current popular names in Brazil. It takes some research, but I am getting there...(:-)

Portuguese Verbs | Portuguese Language Resources | Facts of Brazil | Flag of Brazil | Brazilian Portuguese Alphabet

Rate this post:

What is your favorite Brazilian baby name?
Leave your answer in the comments below!

2008-12-18T00:25:00.001-08:00

Find the Japanese symbol dictionary that suits your needs.

As any Japanese language teacher will tell you, a good Japanese symbol dictionary is an essential tool to advance your studies and knowledge.

If you are doing most of your studies primarily online, the following list of online tools will really help you in learning Japanese.

Enjoy!

Japanese Symbol Dictionary

I've been using Babylon for over 3 years and it has been a great tool to receive excellent translations and word definitions; it is easy to use, and, if you spend a lot of time on your computer, indispensable.

If you are learning Japanese (or intend to), I recommend Babylon's Japanese Genius Meikyo Premium Dictionary. The Genius dictionaries contain excellent translations, all with easy to use examples; It also gives you language nuances, grammatical points, rich information on honoric words and Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana usages. They offer a seven-day trial!

What is Babylon?
Simply put, Babylon is a desktop translation software that works on the idea of a single-click translation.

Here is a short YouTube presentation of Babylon software features:

Babylon also has an array of free dictionaries and glossaries: Check out their free English to Japanese dictionaries.

Tangorin's Japanese Symbol Dictionary

Tangorin is free online Japanese dictionary that enables you to search in in Romaji, Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. It is a great tool to learn the brush strokes of Kanji as it shows the number of strokes in a small flash presentation. I love it and I am sure you will too.

Denshi Jisho, easy-to-use Japanese Dictionary

For the beginner learner, I highly recommend the online Japanese-English dictionary by Denshi Jisho: It provides a great deal of information on each searched terms and example sentences. And, best of all for the beginner, you can also search their dictionaries using romaji. Their resources provide us with translations from Japanese to English and English to Japanese.

Japanese Symbol Dictionary on Amazon

2008-12-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

Learning Japanese numbers the easy way...

Welcome to my post on Japanese numbers!

Here you have some quality videos teaching how to count in Japanese, use proper use of their counting system and learn to say the time.

I am still working on it, so keep visiting for more updates.

Please let me know if you have or find any other good tutorial on Japanese numbers.

Enjoy!

Japanese Numbers: How to count from 0 to 10

The first video, uploaded by LearnFree2007, is a PowerPoint presentation with great quality of sound and easy-to-follow pace (numbers from 0 to 10)

Japanese Numbers: How to count from 10 to 100

This is a video prepared and presented by Akita Tom. On this video tutorial he teaches us how easy it is to be able to count up to 100 in Japanese.

Telling the Time in Japanese
Presented by the folks at Japan Shop, this video is a wonderful introduction on how to say the time in Japanese. It may sound a little tricky at first, but if you have a good knowledge of Japanese numbers, you'll get it quite fast.

Recommended Books for Learning Japanese:

Related Posts on this blog:
Japanese Origami | Hiragana | Katakana | Japanese Words

Japanese Language Resources:
Japanese Symbol Dictionary | Japanese Language Resources